Hawks to be honored at White House

Scott Powers is the Blackhawks beat reporter for ESPNChicago.com. He is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997.

The Chicago Blackhawks will meet with President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington D.C. to be honored for their 2013 Stanley Cup championship on Monday, the White House announced on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks will meet with President Obama at 2 p.m. EST.

The Blackhawks’ visit to the White House will be their second in the last four years. The Blackhawks also traveled to the White House to be honored on March 11, 2011 after winning the Stanley Cup in 2010.

President Obama, who still owns a house in Chicago and is a known Chicago sports fan, appeared to enjoy the Blackhawks’ visit in 2011 as much as the team.

“Now, we have hosted a lot of teams at the White House over the last two years, but this one is a little sweeter,” President Obama said during the ceremony in 2011. “It’s pretty special. That’s because it is the first time as President I get to say congratulations on bringing a world championship to my hometown, the city of Chicago.”

The Blackhawks are also scheduled to visit the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and meet with veterans, wounded warriors and their families on Monday.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday he was excited about another trip to the White House.

“It’s a cool day,” Quenneville said prior to Tuesday's game against the Ottawa Senators. “I think everybody gets to enjoy the day. Get to go to Walter Reed in the morning as well. That was a fun visit when we look back. We ran into Wounded Warriors a couple times. Yeah, but when you get to the White House it’s kind of a nice setting. I think it will be one more reflection of a pretty special year for us all. ... That will be a good moment for us.”

Blackhawks defenseman Sheldon Brookbank wasn’t part of the 2010 Stanley Cup team and was especially looking forward to having his photo taken with President Obama.

“I’m pretty excited,” Brookbank said on Tuesday. “I just want to get that picture on my wall one day with the President. Some of these guys have been there before.

"For me, it’s quite the thrill to go there and just even see the White House and be in the same room as the President. I think it’s something that’s pretty special. Even though I’m from Canada, I still understand what that’s about.”